City too quick in pull bus stop by VA clinic

The recent decision by RoadRUNNER Transit to close a bus stop by the Veterans Affairs Clinic on Don Roser Drive and force aging veterans who rely on public transportation to hike several blocks from the nearest stop is difficult to understand.

A change in routes that went into effect last month means veterans no longer can take the city bus directly to and from the VA clinic. And, that has already had negative consequences when a veteran hurt himself attempting to walk to the clinic.

“Some veterans really struggle to get to our clinic,” explained Crystal Davis-Whited, nurse manager of the Las Cruces VA clinic. “Some of them are not able to walk long distances, especially in the heat.”

In response to the city’s decision, the local chapter of the Disabled American Veterans has started a volunteer service to get veterans to the VA clinic and back safely. While that is a commendable short-term solution, the permanent solution is to bring back that bus stop.

David Maestas, transportation director for the city, defended the change, arguing that public meetings were held before the routes were changed, and people had the opportunity to raise complaints then. But that is the common excuse of government officials when asked about unpopular decisions. Just because people weren’t aware of the public meetings doesn’t mean they must accept whatever decisions come from those meetings.

But, the city clearly understood the importance of providing public transportation to the VA clinic in making the changes, as they made sure to include a route to what will eventually be the new VA clinic off Del Rey Boulevard. The problem is, construction hasn’t started yet on that clinic, and isn’t expected to for another year.

Maestas suggested that veterans could use the Dial-A-Ride service to access the clinic on Don Roser, but veterans have said that requires scheduling two weeks in advance, and it is difficult to reschedule if they miss an appointment.

“If a veteran misses two appointments to the VA, the veteran is dropped,” said Rod Grajewski of the city’s Veterans Advisory Board. “I implore you (city transportation officials) to work with them. There are no exceptions if you miss an appointment with the VA, no exceptions at all.”

Las Cruces has made a great effort to honor and support our veterans, including being one of only a handful of communities in the nation to effectively end veterans’ homelessness. But this latest change has unnecessarily created a hardship for veterans that could potentially put their health care in jeopardy.

We encourage city officials to rectify this mistake by resuming bus service to the VA clinic as soon as possible. Once that new VA clinic has opened, then they can consider changing the route from Don Roser. But for now, they have created an unnecessary hardship for veterans in accessing the medical care they have earned.